U.S. patent application number 11/909248 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-25 for scope mounting system.
This patent application is currently assigned to BLACKPOWDER PRODUCTS, INC.. Invention is credited to Mark Hendricks, Ned Hollenbach, Dean N. Williams.
Application Number | 20100043271 11/909248 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37024532 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100043271 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Williams; Dean N. ; et
al. |
February 25, 2010 |
SCOPE MOUNTING SYSTEM
Abstract
A scope mounting system having one or more components formed of
a zinc alloy, preferably an alloy of zinc, aluminum, magnesium and
copper. In one form, the component is formed of an alloy of zinc
with about 3.5 to 4.3 weight percent aluminum, about 0.02 to 0.05
weight percent magnesium, and about 2.5 to 3.0 weight percent
copper. The scope mounting system preferably includes one or more
components, such as a base and/or rings, at least one of the
components being formed by casting.
Inventors: |
Williams; Dean N.; (Griffin,
GA) ; Hendricks; Mark; (Norcross, GA) ;
Hollenbach; Ned; (Murfreesboro, AR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GARDNER GROFF GREENWALD & VILLANUEVA. PC
2018 POWERS FERRY ROAD, SUITE 800
ATLANTA
GA
30339
US
|
Assignee: |
BLACKPOWDER PRODUCTS, INC.
Norcross
GA
|
Family ID: |
37024532 |
Appl. No.: |
11/909248 |
Filed: |
March 21, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
March 21, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2006/010257 |
371 Date: |
October 27, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60664061 |
Mar 22, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/124 ;
42/90 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41G 11/003
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
42/124 ;
42/90 |
International
Class: |
F41G 1/387 20060101
F41G001/387; F41C 27/00 20060101 F41C027/00 |
Claims
1. A system for mounting an accessory to a firearm, said system
comprising at least one component formed of an alloy of zinc with
about 0.002 to 4.3 weight percent aluminum, about 0.02 to 0.08
weight percent magnesium, and about 0.1 to 3.0 weight percent
copper.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one component is
formed of an alloy of zinc with about 3.5 to 4.3 weight percent
aluminum, about 0.02 to 0.05 weight percent magnesium, and about
2.5 to 3.0 weight percent copper.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the accessory is a telescopic
scope, and wherein the at least one component comprises a scope
ring for engaging the telescopic sight.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one component
comprises a base for mounting to the firearm and two scope rings
each having opposed jaw members for engaging said base.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one component is
formed by casting said alloy in a mold.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the at least one component
comprises a scope ring having exterior side surfaces defining a
three-dimensional convex curvature smoothly transitioning into a
three-dimensional concave surface portion.
7. The system of claim 5, wherein the at least one component
comprises a scope ring having an integral recoil lug projecting
therefrom.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one component has an
ultimate tensile strength of at least about 50,000 psi, a yield
strength of at least about 40,000 psi, and a shear strength of at
least about 45,000 psi.
9. A system for mounting a telescopic gunsight to a firearm said
system comprising: a base for mounting to the firearm, said base
having at least one opening for receiving a fastener to secure the
base to the firearm, and a dove-tailed external surface feature;
and a pair of mounting rings, each having opposed jaws for engaging
the dove-tailed external surface feature of the base, and a channel
for receiving and engaging the telescopic gunsight therein; wherein
at least one of the base and the mounting ring components is formed
of an alloy of zinc with about 0.002 to 4.3 weight percent
aluminum, about 0.02 to 0.08 weight percent magnesium, and about
0.1 to 3.0 weight percent copper.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the alloy comprises zinc with
about 3.5 to 4.3 weight percent aluminum, about 0.02 to 0.05 weight
percent magnesium, and about 2.5 to 3.0 weight percent copper.
11. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one zinc alloy
component is formed by casting the alloy in a mold.
12. The system of claim 9, wherein each of said pair of mounting
rings is formed by casting the zinc alloy in a mold, and wherein
each mounting ring has an exterior side surface defining a
three-dimensional convex curvature transitioning into a concave
surface portion.
13. The system of claim 9, wherein at least one of said pair of
mounting rings comprises an integral recoil lug for engagement with
a slot in said base.
14. A system for mounting a scope to a firearm, said system
comprising at least one scope ring for coupling the scope to the
firearm, said scope ring being formed by a casting process.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the scope ring is formed of a
zinc alloy.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the zinc alloy consists
essentially of zinc, aluminum, magnesium and copper.
17. The system of claim 15, wherein the zinc alloy comprises zinc
with about 0.002 to 4.3 weight percent aluminum, about 0.02 to 0.08
weight percent magnesium, and about 0.1 to 3.0 weight percent
copper.
18. The system claim 15, wherein the zinc alloy comprises zinc with
about 3.5 to 4.3 weight percent aluminum, about 0.02 to 0.05 weight
percent magnesium, and about 2.5 to 3.0 weight percent copper.
19. The system of claim 14, wherein the scope ring comprises means
for directly coupling the scope ring to the firearm.
20. The system of claim 14, further comprising a mounting base for
attachment to the firearm, and wherein the scope ring comprises
means for coupling the scope ring to the mounting base and thereby
indirectly coupling the scope ring to the firearm.
21. The system of claim 14, wherein the scope ring comprises an
exterior side surface defining a three-dimensional convex
curvature.
22. The system of claim 21, wherein the exterior side surface
defining a three-dimensional convex curvature smoothly transitions
into a three-dimensional concave surface portion.
23. The system of claim 14, wherein the scope ring comprises an
integrally cast recoil lug.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/664,061, filed Mar. 22, 2005, which
is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all
purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to firearms
accessories, and more particularly to rings and mounts for affixing
a telescopic sight ("scope") to a firearm.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Telescopic gun sights ("scopes") are often used in
connection with firearms to improve shooting accuracy. A scope is
typically mounted to the receiver, barrel, or other portion of a
rifle or other type of firearm using a mounting system including
one or more (typically two) scope mounting rings and, optionally, a
mounting base.
[0004] Traditionally, the components of commercially-available
mounting systems fall within two general categories: higher-end
systems formed of machined steel and lower-end systems formed of
aluminum extrusions. Steel mounting components are typically
relatively expensive, largely due to higher labor and material
costs. For example, steel's hardness renders machining and
finishing of components more difficult and time consuming than
aluminum components. Steel also has the disadvantage of its
tendency to rust and corrode over time.
[0005] Aluminum components, while providing better resistance to
corrosion than steel, have a number of shortcomings as well. For
example, threaded bores in aluminum components tend to strip more
easily during assembly, and cracking of the components sometimes
occurs due to aluminum's lower stress tolerance. Aluminum typically
is also more susceptible to fatigue failure and stress
concentration failure than steel. Also, the extrusion processes
typically used to fabricate aluminum components place limitations
on the component geometries that can be produced. For example,
components produced by extrusion processes typically have flat
contours and limited detailing, and are considered less appealing
by many consumers. The relatively light weight of aluminum also
contributes to consumers' perception of these components as being
of inferior quality and/or durability. Thus it can be seen that
needs exist for improved scope mounting systems for firearms.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention relates to improved scope mounting
systems for firearms meeting these and other needs. In example
forms, the present invention includes a mounting system including
one or more scope mounting rings and, optionally, a mounting base
or bases, providing improved performance and characteristics
relative to previously known mounting systems. The mounting system
of the present invention provides many of the advantages of both
steel and aluminum components, while avoiding many of the
disadvantages of each material. In addition to mounting of
telescopic sights, the present invention may be adapted for
mounting laser-aiming systems and/or other accessories and hardware
to a firearm.
[0007] For example, in one aspect, the invention is a mounting
system for mounting to a firearm, the mounting system being
fabricated of a material having greater strength, durability and
weight per unit volume than aluminum; and improved
corrosion-resistance, cost and workability relative to steel. In
example forms of the invention, one or more components of the
mounting system are formed of a zinc alloy, preferably an alloy of
zinc, aluminum, magnesium and copper.
[0008] In another aspect, the invention is a method of fabricating
a scope mounting system, wherein one or more components of the
system are formed by casting. Casting scope mounting components has
been found to enable production of component geometries, detailing
and finish, that are more appealing to many consumers than
previously utilized production methods. In example forms of the
invention, one or more components of the mounting system are cast
from a zinc alloy, preferably an alloy of zinc, aluminum, magnesium
and copper.
[0009] In another aspect, the invention is a system for mounting an
accessory to a firearm, the system including at least one component
formed of an alloy of zinc with about 0.002 to 4.3 weight percent
aluminum, about 0.02 to 0.08 weight percent magnesium, and about
0.1 to 3.0 weight percent copper.
[0010] In another aspect, the invention is a system for mounting a
telescopic gunsight to a firearm. The system preferably includes a
base for mounting to the firearm, the base having at least one
opening for receiving a fastener to secure the base to the firearm,
and a dove-tailed external surface feature. The system preferably
also includes a pair of mounting rings, each having opposed jaws
for engaging the dove-tailed external surface feature of the base,
and a channel for receiving and engaging the telescopic gunsight
therein. Preferably, at least one of the base and the mounting ring
components is/are formed of an alloy of zinc with about 0.002 to
4.3 weight percent aluminum, about 0.02 to 0.08 weight percent
magnesium, and about 0.1 to 3.0 weight percent copper.
[0011] And in still another aspect, the invention is a system for
mounting a scope to a firearm, the system including at least one
scope ring for directly and/or indirectly coupling the scope to the
firearm, the scope ring preferably being formed by a casting
process.
[0012] In another aspect, the invention is a system for mounting an
accessory to a firearm, the system including at least one component
formed of an alloy of zinc with about 3.5 to 4.3 weight percent
aluminum, about 0.02 to 0.05 weight percent magnesium, and about
2.5 to 3.0 weight percent copper.
[0013] These and other aspects, features and advantages of the
invention will be understood with reference to the drawing figures
and detailed description herein, and will be realized by means of
the various elements and combinations particularly pointed out in
the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing
general description and the following brief description of the
drawings and detailed description of the invention are exemplary
and explanatory of preferred embodiments of the invention, and are
not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a scope mounting system,
including mounting rings and a base, according to an example form
of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a detailed assembly view of a scope mounting ring
component of the mounting system of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0016] The present invention may be understood more readily by
reference to the following detailed description of the invention
taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which
form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this
invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods,
conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that
the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended
to be limiting of the claimed invention. Also, as used in the
specification including the appended claims, the singularforms "a,"
"an," and "the" include the plural, and reference to a particular
numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the
context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein
as from "about" or "approximately" one particular value and/or to
"about" or "approximately" another particular value. When such a
range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one
particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly,
when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the
antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular value
forms another embodiment.
[0017] With reference now to the drawing figures, a mounting system
10 for affixing a telescopic sight 12 to a firearm 14 generally
comprises a base 20 and one or more mounting rings 22 (a pair of
mounting rings are depicted). The base 20 typically has one or more
bores extending therethrough, and is secured to the receiver,
barrel, or other portion of the firearm by screws or other
attachment means installed through the bores of the base and into
threaded bores in the firearm. The base 20 can comprise a unitary
component, or optionally comprises two or more base sections
separately mounted to the firearm. In example embodiments, the
bores of the base are matched to corresponding bore size and
spacing of the mounting bores of a particular make and model of
firearm. Alternatively, a universal base includes multiple bores of
size and spacing corresponding to bore size and spacing of
different types of firearms; and/or includes an interchangeable
insert permitting adaptation of the base to different types of
firearms, as shown for example in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/178,811, which is incorporated by reference herein. In alternate
forms, the firearm includes an integral base, and the mounting
system only comprises rings. The base typically includes a
dove-tailed or grooved external cross-sectional geometry, to which
the rings are secured by clamping using one or more bolts, screws,
couplings or other connection means.
[0018] Each ring 22 generally comprises first and second opposed
halves 22a, 22b, which when engaged together define a generally
circular channel or opening 30 for receiving and securing the tube
of a scope therein. In the depicted embodiment, the opposed halves
22a, 22b of each ring 22 are split vertically, but in alternate
embodiments of the invention, the rings are split horizontally, or
otherwise segmented. A lower portion of each ring half preferably
comprises a jaw 32 having a rib or edge projecting inwardly
therefrom, and having an internal jaw configuration corresponding
to the external dove-tail or grooving of the mounting base 20 or
firearm 14, for cooperative engagement with the base or the
firearm. Alternatively, a separate clip component is affixed
against one or both of the ring-halves, which clip component(s)
comprise(s) the rib or edge of the jaw(s). One or more scope rings
22 of the system preferably also comprise an integral recoil lug 40
projecting downwardly from its lower surface, the recoil lug
configured to be received within a cooperating slot in the base 20
or between base segments, to resist recoil-induced movement of the
scope/ring assembly relative to the firearm/base assembly.
Optionally, each ring further comprises a lower channel or opening
between the scope-receiving channel 30 and the jaw 32, to permit
sighting therethrough using open sights affixed to the firearm. In
other alternate forms, the rings 22 optionally comprise a hinge
mechanism permitting the scope to pivot out of the line of sighting
using open sights. One or more screws or other coupling means
preferably engage the ring halves 22a, 22b together to permit
selective tightening to securely clamp the scope within the
scope-receiving channel 30 of each ring and/or to securely clamp
the opposed jaws 32 of the ring halves onto the base 20.
[0019] In example forms of the present invention, one or more
components of a scope mounting system are formed of a zinc alloy,
preferably an alloy of zinc, aluminum, magnesium and copper. In
example forms, the component comprises an alloy of about 0.002 to
4.3 weight percent aluminum, about 0.02 to 0.08 weight percent
magnesium, and about 0.1 to 3.0 weight percent copper, with the
balance comprising zinc (and possibly containing trace
amounts--e.g., no more than about 0.1 weight percent--of other
materials, such as iron, lead, cadmium, tin, and/or materials).
[0020] In particularly preferred embodiments, at least one
component of the system comprises an alloy of about 3.5 to 4.3
weight percent aluminum, about 0.02 to 0.05 weight percent
magnesium, and about 2.5 to 3.0 weight percent copper, with the
balance comprising zinc (and possibly containing trace
amounts--e.g., no more than about 0.1 weight percent--of other
materials, such as iron, lead, cadmium, tin, and/or materials).
[0021] The at least one zinc alloy component of the system
preferably has a density of about 0.24 lb/in.sup.3 (6.6
g/cm.sup.3), an ultimate tensile strength of at least about 50,000
psi (pounds per square inch) (359 MPa), a yield strength (0.2%
offset) of at least about 40,000 psi (283 MPa), and a shear
strength of at least about 45,000 psi. (317 MPa). A commercially
available zinc alloy known as ZAMAK (Z-zinc, A-aluminum,
MA-magnesium, K-copper) No. 2 or Kirksite No. 2 has been found to
produce components having acceptable characteristics.
[0022] Mounting system components according to the present
invention formed of such material advantageously provide improved
economics and performance, as compared to previously known mounting
systems. For example, the mounting components of the present
invention provide superior resistance to rust and corrosion than do
components of steel, and yet are considerably less expensive to
produce than traditional steel components. Components according to
the present invention are considerably stronger than traditional
aluminum components, and provide superior resistance to cracking
and stripping of threaded connections as compared to aluminum
components.
[0023] The present invention also enables fabrication of scope
mounting system components by casting, which allows production of
more complex and/or commercially appealing part geometries (for
example, three-dimensional surface curvature) and enhanced
detailing, as well as close control of manufacturing tolerances, in
comparison to extruded scope mounting components. Also, the
workability of the components facilitates fine detailing and part
finishes, further enhancing aesthetic and consumer appeal. The
casting process also enables the provision of an integral recoil
lug on the scope ring of the present invention, which is less prone
to wear, breakage or loss than a separate keyed piece as found on
previously known mounting systems.
[0024] For example, and as shown in FIG. 2, the exterior side
surfaces of a scope ring according to the present invention may
comprise a three-dimensional convex curvature (generally
approximating a spherical section surface) adjacent its
scope-receiving channel 30, smoothly transitioning into
three-dimensional concave surface portions at its upper and/or
lower extremities. In this manner, example forms of the present
invention enable the provision of component geometries and
configurations heretofore typically necessitating more expensive
machining to produce, but at a more economical cost of production
generally on the order of the less commercially desirable
inexpensive extruded components.
[0025] Additionally, the relatively heavy weight (i.e., higher
density) of mounting components according to the present invention
results in a product "feel" that many consumers perceive as
indicative of higher quality and value than lighter-weight
components such as those of aluminum.
[0026] While the invention has been described with reference to
preferred and example embodiments, it will be understood by those
skilled in the art that a variety of modifications, additions and
deletions are within the scope of the invention, as defined by the
following claims.
* * * * *